Derby County 2-0 Chesterfield

Darren Bent's first goal for Derby set up victory against a spirited Chesterfield side in a gripping FA Cup fourth-round tie.

Bent, on loan from Aston Villa, opened the scoring for Steve McClaren's Championship promotion chasers with a close-range first-half header.

But the League One visitors dominated possession and wasted several good chances after that.

Will Hughes secured Derby's fifth-round place with a late solo goal.

Chesterfield striker Armand Gnanduillet was denied by an early Cyrus Christie block, then shot tamely at keeper Kelle Roos after getting free down the left.

Bent, making his first start for Derby, struck from two yards in the 20th minute after centre-back Jake Buxton had nodded down a corner.

Chris Martin and Johnny Russell missed chances to extend the lead just after the break, while Jimmy Ryan fired over from 10 yards with the best of Chesterfield's second-half openings.

Simon Dawkins headed against the bar for Derby before Hughes made victory certain, robbing Sam Clucas outside the area and slipping past a defender before placing a right-foot shot past keeper Tommy Lee.

Derby boss Steve McClaren:

"We knew the game would be open and we were fortunate to go 1-0 up. At half-time we had to change and we tried a lot of things but I think we've learned a lot from that game.

"I'm just pleased that we came through the ups and downs of the game and we are in the hat."

Chesterfield manager Paul Cook:

"It was always going to be a difficult game for a club from a lower tier but at the end of the day you can only look up and say, 'Did we do okay?' but as a manager I felt they did more than okay."